Start your foodie adventure at Florence's most famous food market, Mercato Centrale. This two-story market features various vendors that offer a variety of different cuisine. Taste authentic Florentine dishes such as ribollita, lampredotto, and trippa at Da Nerbone or tantalize your taste buds with some delicious pasta at Latini. You'll definitely find something to your liking with over 2,000 square meters of space and more than 50 different vendors!
Join a food tour in the charming Oltrarno neighborhood and discover its hidden gems while sampling traditional local dishes. Taste some of the best street food such as the delicious Schiacciata, a flatbread filled with cheese and ham, or the heavenly Gelato at Cantina del Gelato. Take in the historic sights such as the Santo Spirito Church and Piazza della Passera, while stopping at local restaurants, markets, and wine bars.
Immerse yourself in Italian culture and learn how to cook traditional Florentine dishes with a cooking class at Apicius Culinary School. With a professional chef, learn how to make homemade pasta, pizza, and gelato from scratch while learning about the country's culinary history. End your class with a full-course meal complemented by local wine and, of course, the delicious food you made!
Take a day trip to Chianti, one of Italy's best wine regions, and learn about the production of world-renowned Tuscan wine. Visit a vineyard and sample various Chianti wines including the Chianti Classico and Chianti Rufina while learning about the wine production process. End your trip exploring the idyllic medieval town of Greve with a glass of wine in hand at one of the many cafes or restaurants.
End your trip to Florence in style with a leisurely brunch on a rooftop overlooking the city. Enjoy fresh pastries, eggs benedict, avocado toast, and many more brunch favorites while taking in the panoramic view of Florence's historic landmarks. Dolce Vita Rooftop Bar is the perfect hidden gem for a relaxing and indulgent end to your foodie adventure.
Most of the attractions on this itinerary are within walking distance of each other. However, for the day trip to Chianti, public transportation or a guided tour would be the best options. Buses from Florence to Greve depart from Sita bus station near the train station and cost approximately €5. A guided tour would cost anywhere from €30-€100 per person for a day trip.
If you have more than five days in Florence, you could consider taking a day trip to nearby cities like Pisa or Siena. If you have less than five days, you could shorten the itinerary by skipping one of the activities. For example, you could skip the cooking class or wine tasting and spend more time exploring the city on your own. Don't forget to book your cooking class and wine-tasting tours in advance to secure your spot.
The main airport serving Florence is Amerigo Vespucci International Airport (FLR). It's located approximately 4km from the city center and is easily accessible by taxi or bus. Other nearby airports include Pisa International Airport (PSA) and Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport (BLQ), which are both approximately 1.5 hours away by train.